More must be done to protect cyclists on North East roads, a legal expert warned last night.

Figures released this week showed the number cyclists killed on the roads across 2012 rose by 10% to 118 in 2012.

Now Fran Mayes, a partner and serious injury expert at Irwin Mitchell’s Newcastle office, said: “It is clear that safety for cyclists remains an issue on British roads.

“Cyclists are among the most vulnerable road users and it is vital that measures are in place so they can enjoy safe use of British highways.”

Figures produced by the Office for National Statistics for the Department for Transport , showed in Durham, 27 people were killed and 206 seriously injured in 2012 compared to 2011 when 18 people were killed and 213 seriously injured.

In Northumbria, 38 people were killed and 473 seriously injured in 2012 compared to 28 people killed and 439 seriously injured the year before.